Numbers Game: 15 Prospects Who Were Born To Be Stars

As Baseball America prepares to release its new Before They Were Stars book title this fall, we provide a sneak preview of some of the players who, in retrospect, were just born to be stars.

It was obvious even when these players were teenagers that they were bound not only for the major leagues, but for major league stardom.

These so-called perfect prospects ranked No. 1 in virtually every minor league (Lge) and organization (Org) in which they played. We handpicked 15 of the brightest prospects of the past four decades and excerpted contemporary scouting reports to show how highly they were regarded before they were stars. Players are listed chronologically.

“You don’t look at the immediate numbers,” Prince William manager Mike Hart said. “You just wonder how fast he’s going to make it. He’s one of those kids who comes around maybe once in a lifetime. A blue-chipper.”Source: 1992 CAR

“Alex has a good swing and a lot of range,” Appleton manager Carlos Lezcano said. “But I think the best thing about Alex is that he is eager to learn the game. He applies what you teach him very quickly.”Source: 1994 MWL

Beckett rapidly evolved into more than just a flamethrower by exhibiting pinpoint command of an overpowering three-pitch arsenal. Hitters couldn't sit on his explosive mid-90s fastball with his hammer curveball and much-improved changeup in the back of their minds.

All of Mauer’s tools rate average or better, and managers loved the way he managed the game.

"He's the total package," Tampa manager Bill Masse said. "Number one, you want your catcher to receive, block and throw well, and he does all three well above-average. You throw in his bat and you've got about as top a prospect as you're going to get."Source: 2003 FSL

"He did a great job of attacking hitters and changing speeds. He'd throw his fastball one time and hit 95 (mph), then drop it back to 80. He's as close to what you'd call a sure thing as I've seen. He has a great feel for how to get a hitter out."Source: 2003 CAR

King Felix reigned over the PCL with stuff that borders on unfair. His mid-90s fastball and mid-80s curveball are 70 pitches on the 20-80 scouting scale, while his changeup is a 60 . . . He throws quality strikes with a sound delivery and clean arm action.

"He's the best minor league pitcher I've ever seen. That's the best report I've ever written," one scout said. "There's nothing not to like.”Source: 2005 PCL

Trout has the tools to be a difference maker in every phase of the game. He's powerfully built and can hit for a high average with legitimate power, plus the ability to adapt his hitting approach to wherever he's placed in a lineup.

He also has top-of-the-scale speed with amazing acceleration, going "from zero to 60 in the snap of a finger" in the words of one scout.Source: 2011 TL

Harper has excellent strength and bat speed and near-legendary power. He refined his two-strike mindset and learned to spread out and let balls travel deeper.

"He's a throwback with off-the-charts ability," Erie manager Cris Cron said. "He has it all and has it at such an early age. He flat-out attacks the ball with a very solid approach. He's figured it out so early in his life, when it takes some a lifetime. I love the aggressiveness to his game"Source: 2011 EL

The Next Wave

These minor leaguers are the most likely ones to join the above group as major league stars. Both prospects probably will rank as their organizations’ No. 1 prospects again in 2019.

Guerrero does it with stunning bat speed thanks to the fastest hands in the FSL, and scouts don't shrink from grading him as a 70 hitter on the 20-80 scale. His power rates lower than than his hitting ability at present, but he's just 18, and scouts see plenty of home runs in his future.

The biggest question about Guerrero is defense.

“I have reservations over how (his body) will hold up at third base,” one pro scout for an American League club said. “He has more than enough bat for first base though."Source: 2017 FSL